From Campus to Community: Don Guanella Boys Move to Group

CSS
VOL.
15, ISSUE 2
C O N N E C T I O N S
F AL L 2 0 1 2
A N E W SL E T T E R O F C AT H O L I C S O C I A L S E R V I C E S
From Campus to Community: Don Guanella Boys
Move to Group Home in NE Philadelphia
“I like to walk to stores and the park,
everything is close so I can go by myself. I’m
more independent here.” So says Christian
Massey, age 20, about Duffy Hall, a community
group home run by St. Francis-St. Joseph
Homes for Children (SFSJ) in Northeast
Philadelphia. Chris is one of five young men
with intellectual disabilities who moved last
summer from a cottage on the Don Guanella
Village (DGV) campus, where he had lived for
around the house. I’m even learning to cook!” He
looks forward to graduating from high school this
year, and wants to go to college and also continue to
work in a restaurant. His roommate Tevon Gilbert,
now 20, was 13 when he moved to Don Guanella
School. He was also worried about the move, but
“coming to visit first helped a lot, actually it has been
pretty good” and rooming with his friend Chris helps.
Staff from both DGV and SFSJ worked diligently for
months prior to the move to make it a smooth and
easy transition for the young men. Duffy Hall
program director Bob Paff has been with SFSJ for 27
years, and also has 20 years of experience in
community-based services for high functioning
intellectually disabled individuals. He recruited SFSJ
(Continued on page 4)
IN THIS ISSUE
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Christian, Program Director Bob Paff, Luis, Richard Robinson,
Group Home Supervisor Wayne Graham, and Tevon
five years. He liked the quiet campus with its
own sports fields, so at first he was “a little
worried about the move because I thought it
would be a big change. But things have been
good.” He now has a roommate, and is making
new friends very quickly: “We get along and
hang out together. I do chores and help out
C ATHOLIC S OCIAL S ERVICES
A RCHDIOCESE OF P HILADELPHIA
A
New Vision for Don Guanella Village
Brother Brian Henderson, FSC: Teacher and Advocate
High School Youth Staff OST Summer Programs
Life Sharing: A Member of the Family
CSS Summer Activities
Deacon Candidates Volunteer Summer Service in CSS
•
Del-Voc Summer Intern — Following in Dad’s Footsteps
•
Putting Faith in Action — Montco Food Pantry
•
St. Francis — St. Joseph Youth Connect Across Generations
•
From Mission Volunteer to Full-Time Social Worker
•
Peaceful Moves for Divine Providence Village Women
•
Around and About CSS
•
Make CSS Your United Way Donor Choice
D IVISION OF C ATHOLIC H UMAN S ERVICES
N 17 TH S T , P HILADELPHIA , PA 19103
222
PAGE
2
A Message from Joseph J. Sweeney, Jr.
SECRETARY
FOR
CATHOLIC HUMAN SERVICES
The ancient Greek philosopher
Heraclitus once said that “You
never step into the same river
twice.” His point was simple
yet profound – change is
inevitable, although at times
imperceptible. Even things we
consider stable and constant are in another way always on
the move, like the passing waters of a seemingly familiar
river, or in my case the waves splashing over my feet on
my favorite beach at the Jersey shore. Of course, not only
is this not the same water as last year or even yesterday,
but we too have changed.
unfortunately due to the common experience of trauma
early in life, and thus our need to create “safe sanctuary”
where staff can help address their consequent behavioral
and mental health needs. And as you may have read in our
cover story, a group of young men with intellectual
disabilities recently moved from our Don Guanella Village
campus in Springfield (where we have served boys like
them for over 50 years), to a community-based group
home in Northeast Philadelphia.
These changes can be at first unsettling, especially when
we have grown fond of the historic places where these
wonderful charitable ministries have served so many so
well for so long. But to hold on to the past in the face of
This insight is helpful as we continue to adapt to significant changing needs and expectations would be irresponsible
stewardship of precious resources. We must choose fidelity
changes occurring in the environment around us and
to mission over nostalgia, to continue our good works in
within many Catholic Social Services programs. Those
new ways and places in order to remain viable and
with us for more than a few decades will remember when
effective in fulfilling that mission today and tomorrow.
we ran many large congregate care settings for vulnerable
individuals – dependent and delinquent youth, orphaned
In the “Great Commission” at the end of the Gospel of
children, and intellectually disabled children and adults.
Matthew, Jesus challenged his disciples to go forth and
These larger institutions were “state of the art” in both
physical plant and quality of services. But with the passing continue his work, and then promised them: “I am with
you always, until the end of the age,” ( Mt 28:20). He did
of time, the profile of our clients has gradually changed,
and we have changed to meet the more complex care needs not specify how or where he would be with them, just that
they would not be alone. Good as it was, they could not
of those we serve. Most of those large campuses and
hold on to the earthly ministry of Jesus, for his ascending
buildings have closed, as new research-based service
to His Father in glory was part of his plan to entrust his
delivery models using smaller community-based group
mission to them, and to us. We too must trust God’s plan
homes have been demonstrated to be healthier living
environments that produce better long-term outcomes for and let go of what was, as the first disciples did, so that we
are able to take up the work that still lies before us to
most clients. For that reason, our governmental partners
have been shifting their funding priorities in this direction accomplish. Since it is ultimately God’s work, we can face
a future full of change with the confidence that Christ is
for some time.
with us, always and everywhere.
Consider the following examples. At St. Vincent Homes,
we no longer serve orphans or young foster children;
instead, we support teenage girls with significant behavioral
C S S CONNECTIONS BOARD
health challenges, some of whom are pregnant or already
• Joseph J. Sweeney, Jr., Secretary for Catholic Human Services
have a child. St. Gabriel’s System has served court
• James Amato, Deputy Secretary for Catholic Social Services
adjudicated delinquent young men for over a century, and
• Edward Lis, Director of Catholic Mission Integration
St. Francis-St. Joseph Homes for Children has historical
• Dave Reid, Editor
CSS Connections is published three times a year. Questions, ideas or comments
roots that reach back even further in caring for neglected
may be directed to Dave Reid at 484.475.2463, or dreid@chs-adphila.org
and dependent youth. Yet today, these two programs serve
young men who have increasingly similar backgrounds,
Please visit us at: www.catholicsocialservicesphilly.org
PAGE
3
A New Vision for Don Guanella Village
Catholic Social Services today provides over a
thousand residential beds to care for the most
vulnerable individuals in our region. Many residential
programs have a long history, and over the years have
been modified in response to changes in public policy,
research findings, and funding priorities over how to
best serve various clients. We have seen tremendous
program enhancements with the move from large
congregate care settings to smaller community group
homes for dependent youth served by St. Francis-St.
Joseph Homes for Children and St. Vincent Homes.
Moving to community group homes places clients
closer to families and schools, reduces behavior
problems, and fosters closer personal relationships
with staff.
Commonwealth’s Office for Developmental Programs
has persistently advocated moving these men from
CKC into smaller cottages and/or community group
homes. In response, our administrative team recently
developed a plan to implement a new vision for the
future of Don Guanella Village.
The recent move of the Don Guanella boys to
Duffy Hall has already benefited these youth with
intellectual disabilities in a variety of ways.
The first stage will begin before year’s end, and entails
moving thirty-two men from CKC into two newly
renovated cottages (once occupied by Don Guanella
School boys) on the same Don Guanella Village
campus, each now more suitable to accommodating
adult men in two-person rooms. Another campus
cottage is being converted into a more secure
environment where men with dementia and men who
wander can reside. We are grateful that Heritage of
Faith funds are assisting us in paying for these capital
improvements to the cottages. We are also in
conversations with state officials to secure funding that
will facilitate relocating our remaining men on campus
within a few years to preferable smaller residential
settings on a mini-campus or within the community,
all under the auspices of DGV. It is vital to stress that
all of these strategic moves are a work in progress.
In our services for those with intellectual disabilities,
the move to smaller residences and more communitybased living has been happening for the last few
decades. Divine Providence Village opened in 1984
with six residential cottages, situated on a mid-sized
campus. Each cottage has two apartments housing
eight women each. These one-story cottages are homelike settings that have proven quite adaptable to the
needs of the women as they age. In the 1990’s, we
began the Life Sharing through Family Living
program which places an individual with intellectual
disabilities in a home setting with a provider who can
nurture mutually beneficial relationships; we also
opened Community Living Arrangements to serve
three persons in family-size homes within residential
neighborhoods.
Don Guanella Village is well known and respected for
its history of care for those with intellectual
disabilities. The Cardinal Krol Center (CKC) which is
now home to 131 adult men was built in the 1970’s for
those aging out of the adjacent Don Guanella School,
which is now vacant. The main building, housing 83
of those men, is a large facility with four-bed rooms.
As these men have aged, the large setting exacerbated
problems and incidents related to the men’s increasing
behavioral and medical complications. The
While the Don Guanella Village program may look
quite different in the years ahead, what remains
constant is our wholehearted commitment to the 128
men in our care, which we hold as a sacred trust. Not
only do we remain committed to their physical and
emotional wellbeing, but we will continue to provide
for their spiritual and pastoral needs with the ongoing
presence of the Servants of Charity who began this
work over 50 years ago and remain an integral part of
it today. We are confident that this initiative
represents an exciting opportunity to enhance the
quality of life and care for these wonderful men
entrusted to us.
by Jim Amato, Deputy Secretary for Catholic Social Services
PAGE
4
(Continued from page 1)
staff who specifically bid on positions at Duffy Hall
because they wanted to work with boys who are
intellectually disabled (ID), and the assembled team has
nearly 100 years of combined experience with the ID
community. Weekly visits to DGV in Springfield to
meet with the guys and review their records with
program staff there paved the way for the five boys
who moved to Duffy Hall, which can house up to 16
guys in eight two-person bedrooms. In addition to
meeting and recreation rooms, the home offers a full
size kitchen and dining room, and outdoor playing field
and basketball court.
When the transition of Don Guanella Village youth to
Duffy Hall began, I was administrator of St. Francis-St.
Joseph Homes for Children. I am proud of how my staff
there welcomed these young men and helped them to
enjoy the positive experiences that come with living in
the community. In my new role as Director of Catholic
Social Services Developmental Programs, I reaffirm our
unwavering commitment to a substantive continuum of
care, which includes community-based living as an
essential component. The process initiated with these five
young men now living in the community is a sign of
things to come.
- Fran Swiacki
Their program is very activity oriented, focused on
building practical life skills as well as providing
structured social time around movies, sports activities,
game nights, sharing groups, and weekend trips. Group
activities help in building relationships, and a favorable
staffing ratio allows for spending a lot of individual
time with each resident. Louis Valoy, 20, who lived at
DGV in Springfield for a year, and is now at Duffy
Hall, appreciates that: “It’s good, the staff here really
like to bond with us, they take us out a lot, try to teach
us discipline and good behavior, to help us become
successful young men. We all need people to look up to
and learn from.” He likes that he has more freedom to
go to the mall or the movies on the bus. A recent
graduate of Martin Luther King HS whose favorite
subject was math, Louis would like to continue his
education “to have a better chance of finding not just a
job but a career that I would enjoy doing.”
Richard Robinson was a
DGV staff person who
came over to Duffy Hall
with the boys: “We
helped them see that
change is not a bad thing,
that we were all nervous
about it but that’s
normal. Once they got
here they saw there is a
lot going on around here,
lots of life around us.”
Rich thinks being more
integrated into the
community is great for
them, as they do more for
themselves and by
themselves, learning how
to use public transit, having freedom to walk to
places, building social skills by hanging out with
friends beyond where they live, even getting gym
memberships. As a former medic in the Army who
served in Iraq, part of Rich’s nature is helping the
guys with day to day activities and being a mentor to
them. Having grown up in residential group homes
all through high school, he understands them well:
“Everybody here has gone through what I have gone
through, so seeing how they progress each day makes
it meaningful and even fun to come to work.”
Program goals focus on getting the guys out looking
for jobs, learning responsibility in the house, and
being treated as young adults moving forward with a
plan for their future, prepared to have a place in
society. In the past two months, seven more teenage
boys with intellectual disabilities have been placed at
Duffy Hall by the city’s Department of Human
Services. Program director Paff observes that
“naturally, guys who had lived on a suburban campus
for 8 or 9 years were a bit resistant to move, but they
have found that here in the city they have more
opportunities, and also more expectations on them for
cultivating good community living and responsibility
for their daily schedules. We have good people
working with them, and each young man says he is
happy to be here, that it has been good for them.
Their behaviors have improved, and we are helping
these young men learn to redirect their energies
toward positive goals.”
PAGE
5
Br. Brian Henderson, FSC: Teacher and Advocate
“Brothers and Sisters Among Us” is an ongoing series that features some of the
religious men and women who currently serve in Catholic Social Services.
“Nurturing the vocation of the
educator as guardian and
protector, model and shepherd
to children, providing loving
care to youth whose families
are often unable to do so.”
This is how Brian Henderson
expresses his vocation as a
Christian Brother and his
mission to form lay colleagues
who are vital partners in realizing
this educational vision first
espoused by St. John Baptist de
LaSalle. A native of Southwest Philadelphia, Br. Brian met
the Christian Brothers while attending West Catholic High
School and then LaSalle University, where he earned a BA
in Religion and Psychology and MA in Pastoral Studies. His
involvement in the Community Service Corps cultivated in
him a vision for a lifestyle of faith-inspired service within a
vibrant community dedicated to the holistic formation of
youth. He entered the congregation while a junior at
LaSalle, and has been with the Christian Brothers for 33
years now.
Brother’s first assignment was as a youth care worker at St.
Gabriel’s Hall, after which he taught religion at his alma
mater West Catholic before going to East Baltimore as Dean
of Students and later Assistant Principal at St. Francis
Academy, the oldest African-American Catholic high school
in the country. He earned a Masters in Education from
Loyola College of Baltimore, and forged his emerging
commitment to work with inner-city youth. He then
returned to St. Gabe’s where he has been Director for the
last 12 years. For him, the Christian Brothers work with
adjudicated youth at places like St. Gabe’s because “these are
children whose traumatic experiences put them at great risk
of not appreciating their fundamental goodness and their
hope for fruitful futures. It is a privilege to unearth the
treasure that is each child, and bring them to discover that
for themselves and build on it. We are a better world when
we stop allowing children to be discarded, and if we can
help the boys who are with us to discover their goodness,
they will find the capacity to voice their own dignity, to do
better, and to be an advocate for the dignity of others.”
As a “warrior fighting the battle of ignorance” that pervades
society about troubled youth, he is committed to the
formation of future educators and ministers who
compassionately and ably teach young people, and creation
of environments that foster healthy relational and personal
development. Brother deftly blends Gospel values with
Servant Leadership principles and integrates both with the
Sanctuary Model of trauma-informed care, to effectively care
for youth and their families who have suffered severe
emotional injuries: “De LaSalle had deep appreciation for all
people as children of God, especially those most vulnerable
and marginalized. By recognizing their humanity, dignity
and human potential, we help them find their rightful place
in life and community. Healing and reconciliation come
from knowing I am accepted, embraced by love and elevated
to appreciate my great value.”
The Brothers of the Christian Schools (FSC) pass on the mission
handed down from Saint John Baptist de La Salle: to give a
human and Christian education to the young, especially the
poor. The Brothers and their LaSallian Lay Associates serve in
the following CSS Programs:
Brother Rousseau Academy
De La Salle in Towne
De La Salle Vocational School
St. Gabriel's Hall / Mitchell Program
St. Gabriel's System Reintegration Services
For more information on the Christian Brothers in this region,
go to www.fscdena.org. For Lasallian writings and activities
in North America, go to www.cbconf.org. For the Lasallian
Volunteer Program, go to www.lasallianvolunteers.org. For
the International Christian Brothers and Lasallian Leadership
Institute, go to www.lasalle.org.
He delights in the collaborative partnership with the
LaSallian lay movement, involving those in Christian
Brother schools and ministries in “the vision to be genuine,
dedicated and authentic witnesses to faith-filled community
and service, and thus be effective catalysts of ongoing
transformation in the world.” Their simple invocation to
attentiveness — “Let us remember that we are in the holy
presence of God” — grounds their desire that all are heard,
appreciated and valued as co-stewards who have faith in God
and each other. Brother Brian says he was blessed to have
parents who gave him “a reservoir of stability, tolerance and
perseverance, so my stewardship is to bring those same gifts
to those students entrusted to my care, and walk them into
their futures with hope and confidence.”
PAGE
6
High School Youth Staff OST Summer Programs
Summer means time off from school, but for high school
students in the Out of School Time (OST) Summer WorkReady Program at the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community
Center (CBCC), there was plenty of work to be done.
CBCC Program Director Dominique James had 68 youth
ages 14 to 18 working 120 hours over six weeks in July and
August in paid internships at 10 OST sites throughout
Philadelphia. She saw this as a great opportunity for
students to get hands-on experiences to aid their transition
to college or work: “They learned responsibility, developed
communication and problem-solving skills, and grew to
understand the importance of documentation and paying
attention to detail.” Some worked as junior camp
counselors, coordinating group activities and supervising
children, while others designed afterschool program
activities for the coming year by arranging service projects
and field trips. It was a successful summer, with nearly all
interns fulfilling their hours and accomplishing all their
learning goals.
Pedro Soto’s family came here from Puerto Rico a half
century ago. A 2012 graduate of Community Academy
High School, he is studying computer science at Cabrini
University. At Casa del Carmen OST, he interacted with
the kids, set up activities, and fixed computers. He sees this
as great job
experience: “I’m
building a social
network,
reinforcing my
skills and
becoming a
really good
worker with a
good head start
on the process.”
Heather Wood,
17, of St. Timothy parish and a junior at Little Flower HS,
wanted to work with kids due to lots of babysitting
experience and watching her mom work with volunteers at
CSS Northeast Family Service Center. She worked with 3rd
graders, and enjoyed seeing the kids learn, have fun and
meet new friends: “It also helps them stay ready for school.
These children look up to you, so you have to be a good
role model. I grew too by taking others as my role models.”
Heather is considering a dual degree in theatre and
education, and mother Beth was happy to see her daughter
learn valuable skills such as resume writing and
interviewing, working as a team, and developing
organizational skills.
Arion (Kindergarten): It is so fun here, I want to come
everyday!
Prince (1st grade): I like learning how to be healthy and eat
good foods.
Jeremy (3rd grade): I have fun and meet new people, I’m
smarter thanks to the OST program.
Noel (3rd grade): I care more about others and I’m more
independent and respectful of other people.
Foday (5th grade): I like learning new languages and doing
our Summer Olympics Project.
Emily (5th grade): The staff plan great activities and help me
make new friends. They care about us and love us.
Felicia (6th grade): My favorite part of camp is sewing lessons.
Now I want to go to fashion school.
Roxanne Rabusa, 16, was born here of parents who came
from the Philippines 30 years ago. This was the first job
experience for the junior at J.R. Masterman HS, who loves
working with kids. A priest at nearby Visitation BVM
parish encouraged her to apply for the program at CBCC,
where she had participated in the afterschool program. She
organized programming for the upcoming year, calling
colleges to get materials and set up a college fair. She wants
to study multimedia design at Arcadia University, and was
“proud to do something really important by helping other
kids learn and grow here.” Her sister says she has grown in
confidence and responsibility and learned the value of doing
something positive and being accountable.
Chivra Okafur, 17, was born in Nigeria and came here with
his family when he was three. He is a senior St. Joseph’s
Prep and a member of St. Francis of Assisi parish who is
interested in studying neurology at UPenn or Columbia.
With previous work experience at Camp Overbrook, he
was placed at DePaul Catholic in Germantown, working
with 6th and 7th graders planning Camp Olympics and other
programs. He says that “it was rewarding to have new
experiences with the kids every day. We kept them busy
and out of trouble, but it also taught me good
communication skills and how to be a leader with children.”
PAGE
7
Life Sharing: A Member of the Family
Geneva Harris and Sheila McLeod may not be related by
blood, but they are as much family as family can be.
Almost 27 years ago, Sheila invited Geneva — who was
then in high school — to become part of her family through
what is now our Life Sharing through Family Living
program. The success of Life Sharing can be attributed to
the care taken in matching individuals with families and in
supporting both as long term relationships bloom.
Life Sharing through
Provider Family Length
Family Living is a
Louise Caldwell
27 years
long term
Herman & Janie Corbett 27 years
commitment, and
Violane Gillyard
27 years
CSS celebrates eleven
Dollie Marriott
26 years
provider families
Earl & Marie Sherrod
26 years
who have nurtured
26 years
their individuals for Sheila McLeod
Karl
&
Diane
Guinan
26 years
more than 24 years.
25 years
The mutual give-and- Vivian Scott
take between the
Melva McCray
25 years
family and the
Clee Stewart
24 years
person with
Ursula Kistow
24 years
intellectual
disabilities more often than not changes both for the better.
Sheila notes the love and concern of the CSS’ Life Sharing
staff: “We all want to insure that Geneva’s future is secure.
We work to help her adjust to naturally occurring family
transitions, so that, just like any family member, she can
share all the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties
that we all experience.
Geneva and her Life Sharing mom, Sheila
CSS is the largest and among the oldest Life Sharing support
provider in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Program Manager
Jim Boyle notes that the program supports 55 individuals,
ranging in age from 15 to 84, placed with families who have
completed the necessary requirements. He credits its
success to the vision of former CSS Deputy Secretary, Jack
Smith, pioneer Sister of St. Joseph Leona Tucker and a staff
that always goes “above-and-beyond.”
Before becoming part of the McLeod family, Geneva had
been living at St. Mary of Providence in Elverson for over
ten years. In her new family, she found herself with a
slightly-younger sister, Vivian, a younger sister with special
needs, Brandy, and a supportive grandmother. Mom Sheila
proudly watched Geneva as she started mimicking Vivian
who was then into “hair, makeup, and all teenage girl
things.” Geneva was a good fit for the family from the
beginning. Today, she is a loving aunt to Vivian’s daughter,
Sidney.
Sheila, who has a background in the developmental
disabilities field and has been an advocate for her special
needs daughter, has helped Geneva through life’s
transitions. After Geneva completed school, she started out
in a sheltered work activity environment. With Sheila’s
prodding, Geneva was introduced to outside employment
opportunities and finally to competitive employment at
CVS where she has worked for the past eleven years.
More importantly, Life Sharing through Family Living has
allowed Geneva to put down roots in her community and
develop friendships through employment, volunteer
activities and socialization. This is what transition to
community inclusion looks like.
Sheila McLeod is beyond a doubt the best advocate for Geneva
living an “Every Day Life”. She goes beyond the ordinary tasks
of a Life Sharing Provider in seeing that Geneva does the things
she wants and likes to do. Sheila has opened avenues for Geneva
to have opportunities for volunteer work with animals, to be
involved in the community in which they live, and to have
memberships to a fitness club and the Philadelphia Zoo.
Geneva is extremely happy in her Life Sharing home. To
Sheila, Geneva is a member of the family who interacts at ease
with Sheila’s mother, her two daughters and her niece. Sheila is
a provider who exemplifies Life Sharing at its best.
Sr. Lisa Curran, OSF
Program Coordinator, Life Sharing through Family Living
For more information about the Life Sharing through
Family Living Program, contact Jim Boyle at
610.544.7813 or email him at JBoyle@chs-adphila.org
PAGE
8
CSS Summer Activities
Five students from Our Lady Help of
Christians (OLHC) OST summer
program represented their peers in
the city-wide OST Project-Based
Learning (PBL) Cup competition,
held at the Cardinal Bevilacqua
Community Center on August 8,
2012. Over 150 children from nearly
two dozen OST sites participated,
and the OLHC team won the award
for the project that demonstrated the best critical thinking skills. The OLHC
team ranged from third through fifth graders, but they demonstrated the work
done by all their fellow students (grades K to 6), whose projects focused on the
inventions and accomplishments of Philadelphia’s own Benjamin Franklin. Their
activities highlighted his role as a community innovator, statesman, and scientist,
and included trips to a firehouse and library for younger students. More
challenging scientific experiments by older students involved static electricity and
making an electroscope to produce magnetic repulsion.
Last summer ten OST sites served 1017 children
and youth (825 K – 5, 120 middle school, 72 high
school youth workers. Summer programs benefited
from $55,000 in 21st Century Community Learning
Center grant funding, which supported
implementation of STEAM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities, such as
Science Fairs, Forensic Science Clubs, Underwater
Exploration, Electricity and Robotics, and a
Fantasy Baseball Integrated Math Program). Sites
also took educational trips to the Franklin Institute,
Camden Aquarium, and Philadelphia Water Works.
PAGE
9
Kim Bailey, whose daughter Mia is in her
third year at Mary Mother of Peace OST
summer program, volunteers here because
“when you find a program that cares about
your kids as much as you do, it’s easy to
give your time. They instill discipline and
good sportsmanship, build character and
healthy relationships, and are always
motivating the children to learn and have
fun doing it. Mia likes math and science,
and every week she tells me what she learned. As a mother it is
reassuring to know that your child is in a program that enriches and
inspires her with confidence and greater interest in things.”
St. Vincent Homes annually provides
an enriching six week Title One
Summer Camp for the young women
in their care, who participated in a
book club and learned financial
literacy, computer, and job interview
skills. Field trips included seeing the
city with Philly Tour, a visit to the
Franklin Institute to meet Ben and to
see the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a tour of
Community College of Philadelphia.
At St. Edmond’s Home for Children, Camp Rainbow provided
Extended School Year experiences for 56 campers who are severely
disabled and medically fragile. Campers enjoyed an eight-week
program; each week had its own theme. Campers also enjoyed various
community outings including bowling and trips to the Please Touch
Museum, the Aquarium, the Zoo, and the Mann Music Center.
Eric Shields, a student at Delaware
County Community College, has
been an OST summer camp
counselor for the last 5 years
because he loves working with
kids: “I feel I am making a small
but meaningful impact by being a
positive male role model, so I take
pride in being that, especially for
young boys who really need that
kind of good example.”
PAGE
10
Deacon Candidates Volunteer Summer Service in CSS
Greeting men in the food line at St. John’s Hospice with a
smile and a handshake, and then sharing a meal with
them… Teaching court-adjudicated young men from De
LaSalle Vocational how to present themselves at a job
interview, and encouraging them in their first job
experiences… Bringing ice cream to make sundaes while
watching a movie with pregnant teens at the Mother
Caroline maternity residence… These are just three of the
simple yet profound ways that some 40 permanent
diaconate candidates volunteered their time this summer
in Catholic Social Services programs.
Jim O’Neill, a member of St. Christopher parish, had
previously worked with both youth and the elderly; he
chose to serve at St. John’s Hospice to experience
“something different.” After Food Services Director
Anthony Willoughby saw Jim “working the lunch line,”
he challenged him to get out of his comfort zone: “I think
you could be of more value interacting with the men.”
Jim joined the men over lunch: “It was a profound
experience to see the face of Christ in each of these men.
These are men who don’t have homes; but, first and last
they are men beloved of God who deserve to be treated
with love and dignity.” Jim found these brief encounters
with men very powerful and rewarding, as he tried to give
them encouragement and show human warmth and
compassion: “Some day we will stand before the Lord and
he will ask us how we loved him in others, like these men.
This helped to draw a lot of reality into what I believe is
my call to ordained ministry.”
Michael Cuff, a member of St. Anthony parish in Ambler,
had been writing letters to men in prison for the last seven
years. That motivated him to choose working with
delinquent youth: “I realized in corresponding with men
in prison how many just needed good example and
guidance from a male role model, so I figured I could help
these younger guys by getting them to value doing well in
school, and helping them to prepare for getting and
keeping a job.” The first thing he did was to teach the
group how to give a firm handshake and make good eye
contact. He gave them basic pointers on how to make a
good impression on the job, and helped them reflect on
what they learned. His goal? “I wanted to give these guys
hope, knowing that we all make mistakes but the
important thing is to learn from them and not repeat
them. I told them I am proud of them, and want them to see
that they have options for a better future.” Michael prayed
with them often, and is grateful for the humility and
patience the experience has taught him: “They were like
sponges soaking up everything I could give them. I saw
Christ in them.”
Jack Pfeifer, a member of St. Andrew parish in Newtown,
and his wife Maureen approach ministry as a couple. At St.
Vincent Homes, they used movie nights with snacks to
build rapport with young expectant teens. Weekly visits
allowed Jack and Maureen to see how the girls’ pregnancies
were progressing. The couple was surprised at how much
trauma these women have been through so early in life.
Maureen recounted:“When we told them we had been
(Continued on page 11)
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DelVoc Summer Intern – Following in Dad’s Footsteps
Paul Pierce, 17, from the Mayfair section of Philadelphia,
had stopped going to school after eighth grade when his
mom got sick. He went truant for a year before juvenile
court sent him to De LaSalle Vocational in August 2011.
Paul says he was nervous at first to go to school with other
guys who had gotten in trouble with the law, but ended up
being really glad because “the teachers at DelVoc pushed me
to get back on track. Now my mom is happy that I am here
learning a trade.”
Paul decided to follow in the footsteps of his dad and uncle,
taking up auto mechanics at DelVoc, where he “learned the
nuts and bolts of fixing cars, enjoying getting dirty under
the hood. My teachers were very helpful and taught me a
lot, always encouraging me to take on more responsibility,
and they really cared about me and believed in me.” DelVoc
Program Director Jim Logan said Paul has been an excellent
(Continued from page 10)
married for 34 years, they were all amazed and told us they
did not know anyone that had been married anywhere near
that long. They really opened up to us; some nights we were
emotionally drained, but by the end we left wanting to
adopt them all. We were sad to realize that we would not
see some girls ever again, so we tried to make a difference
while we were with them. We grew to love all the girls and
wanted to see them do well.” Jack called these young
women courageous: “Despite all the pain they have known
and challenges they face, they are willing to stand up for life
student, with solid attendance and active participation in
classes: “When the local service center where we take our
agency vehicles expressed interest in hiring a student intern,
Paul was the logical choice.”
Paul interned with Daley’s Auto Service Center in
Bensalem, working alongside experienced auto mechanics
twice his age. This was his first real job, yet his co-workers
and on-site mentor “Doc” were pleasantly surprised with his
skills and good work habits. Paul shadowed Doc, who
showed him “how it works in the real world of auto
mechanics. Paul was like my little brother; he’s got his head
in the game, with a real future in the business.” Paul
interviewed with owner John Daley, Sr., who has been in
the auto repair business for 50 years and currently employs
six mechanics. He was willing to take on an intern from
DelVoc because “I grew up in a poor family and I had
different guys who gave me quite a few breaks in my life, so
it’s just my time to return the favor.” Paul had been well
prepared for his interview by DelVoc staff person Matt
Brophy, who helped him create a resume and be ready to
answer questions and present himself well.
Leaving home before 7am each day to take a bus to his
work site, Paul said getting paid was nice, but what he really
liked was looking at a car and saying: “I fixed that, I did
something good for somebody that I can be proud of.”
After his planned graduation in June 2013 from De LaSalle,
he wants to attend UTI technical school. He sounds quite
hopeful for his future: “If I stay on this path, I know I can
be successful in life, not getting rich, but breaking through
and making it. No matter how many bumps in the road, I
just get up and keep going. I am grateful to have a second
chance. Doing work on mom’s car reminds her of my dad,
and that makes me feel good about myself.”
and have their children. Because of St. Vincent Homes they
are not standing alone; they can nurture hopes and dreams
for themselves and their babies.”
Deacon James Owens, Director of the Permanent Diaconate
office, sees this “ministry of charity” initiative as a means
for men in formation for the permanent diaconate to
“experience hands-on the needs of the least of our brothers
and sisters. It will also encourage future permanent deacons
to consider ministry within human service programs with
an understanding of and empathy for those they serve.”
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12
Putting Faith in Action – Montco Food Pantry
“Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.”
This simple yet profound message from St. Francis should
inspire us to live what we believe, to be the hands of Christ
in serving the needs of others. Indeed, the Church invites us
in this upcoming “Year of Faith” to not only grow in faith,
but also express that faith in charitable deeds. Today, with
many families still struggling to make ends meet and
resources to assist them ever more scarce, the Church of
Philadelphia remains firmly committed to provide help and
create hope for those most in need. Catholic Social Services
operates Family Service Centers throughout the five
counties which serve as the first point of contact for
individuals and families seeking assistance.
The Montgomery County Family Service Center in
Norristown offers various forms of assistance through a
well-stocked food pantry, a thrift store, baby care supplies,
and personal finance guidance. The food pantry is one of
the largest in a county where despite its affluence, thousands
of families struggle with hunger and food insecurity on a
regular basis. In the first six months of this year, 2,877
families received meals from the cupboard, which continues
to see a steady increase in demand. Program Manager Liz
Peteraf and scores of volunteers from surrounding parishes
“preach the Gospel” every day in their efforts to “feed the
hungry.” Peteraf knows what it means to experience hunger:
“As a child growing up in South Philadelphia, there was often
a food scarcity problem in our home. That experience made
me dedicated to the idea that no one in need should want for
groceries. Most people don’t want to see their neighbors go
hungry.”
Family Services Centers located in Philadelphia and each
suburban county depend heavily on the annual Catholic
Charities Appeal to fund their efforts. Each center provides
intake and assessment for individuals and families to assist
them in accessing benefits and services. Emergency assistance
may include groceries, rent or utility assistance, housing
referrals, and case management. Other services include job
training and placement assistance, ESL classes and translation
assistance, GED preparation, pregnancy support and
parenting classes. In these challenging times the Church,
through the generosity of her people who give their time and
resources, continues to heed the call of St. Francis, preaching
the Gospel of Jesus by serving our brothers and sisters in
need.
by third year deacon candidate James Senior
Connecting across Generations…
Young men from St.
Francis-St. Joseph
Homes for Children
in Bensalem
volunteer on a regular
basis at the
Motherhouse of the
Missionary Servants
of the Most Blessed
Trinity (MSBT) on
Solly Avenue in
Philadelphia.
(Members of MSBT community have been involved in the
works of Catholic Social Services for nearly a century.)
During these visits the youth engage the elderly sisters by
playing games and doing arts and crafts projects. When
weather permits, the St. Francis-St. Joseph youth take those
sisters confined to wheelchairs outdoors for a change of
scenery and some fresh air. Both the young men and the
sisters look forward to these opportunities for sharing time
together. The young men's energy brightens the days of
these elderly sisters, according to Sister Mary Bartholomew:
“for many years I worked with young people and it does
my heart good to see these young boys so willingly spend
time with us.” Mason (age 13) comes to the Motherhouse
whenever possible: “Coming here reminds me that I like
helping people and I would like to do something like this in
the future. The sisters remind me of my own grandmother
and I hope some other young people are helping her.” This
service program is organized by Sister Bernadine, MSBT,
who worked in CSS for over four decades, now serving as
Spiritual Director at St. Francis-St. Joseph Homes.
PAGE
13
From Mission Volunteer to Full-time Social Worker
Melanie Weyant was one of
seven AmeriCorps Notre
Dame Mission Volunteers
who gave a year of service
with Catholic Social
Services last year. As to
why she chose De La Salle
in Towne (DelSit) she says,
“My mother was a social
worker for 20 years, and
because of her example I
have always been driven to
do good in the world.
Among the many good
causes out there, courtadjudicated delinquent
youth are not high on most
people’s list, so I wanted to
work with these guys to
learn more about their
experience and try to help
them.” She admits there
were some days early on
when she would wonder ‘what did I get myself into’,
but in the end was “glad for the challenge, and felt
fortunate to have this experience.”
Her responsibilities involved working with 12 boys in
the Alternative Diploma Program, which offers
mastery credit for passing the GED test along with an
academic skills course and senior project. Melanie
helped them with time management, project planning,
and GED test preparation. She assisted four students
to graduate in June 2012, and had several other clients
make solid progress by passing some GED
sections. She felt gratified: “I worked hard to provide
an environment for my clients that would support
them in their goals, and give them a brighter future.”
Melanie took a lot of initiative during her volunteer
year, helping to put together a networking directory
of various agencies that work with Family Court, to
provide easy access to this information for DelSit
treatment staff. Her energy and dedication did not go
unnoticed by Program Director Skip Gaus, who
offered her a full-time position at the end
of her volunteer year: “Melanie’s
commitment to mission and energy
allowed her to grow into a professional
role, so it was a natural fit for us.” Gaus
appreciated how she went “over and
above time and again,” which indicated
to him that this is a vocation for her:
“We look for people who get the concept
of mission and can see this work with the
eyes of faith, and in a sense create a path
to salvation for the men. A LaSallian
education is both Christian and human;
moving away from poverty and violence
is being made whole, thus creating
opportunities for salvation here and
now.”
Melanie will be filling a new role by
establishing regular communication with
that broad network of partner agencies in
the directory she created last year. So in
a sense she helped to write part of her
job description: to respond more quickly to client
needs by networking with other agencies to wrap
supportive services around them. Melanie also brings
her experience in conflict resolution into DelSit’s
Sanctuary Model of providing trauma-informed care.
On becoming a full-fledged social worker, Melanie
says she really wants to continue to help clients to
move forward in life, and she sees her job as getting
every part of the system of care well informed and
working together to ensure better client outcomes. As
to what motivates her in this work, she thrives on
encouraging and building confidence in the young
men: “Their self-esteem and self-worth are fostered as
they take responsibility for their progress. I love to
catch my guys doing good and achieving things, so I
can give them positive feedback.” She was inspired
when she witnessed the joy of several of “her
graduates” hugging their moms and siblings. “My
mom helped me realize that people always deserve a
second chance, and I just want to help them to get
that opportunity. I know I am just planting seeds for
good things in their futures.”
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14
Peaceful Moves for Divine Providence Village Women
orders. A few years later she was invited to offer an
introductory class for children, and so began a journey that
would transform her life – she now teaches Tai Chi to
various groups young and old throughout the region each
week.
What started slowly with four or five women for the first few
months has now reached as many as 18 gathering each week
at Divine Providence Village to do Tai Chi exercises. What
explains the growth? According to instructor Ardella
Simmons, “There’s just a connection that’s grown between
us. I look them in the eyes and when I do, I see me. I
appreciate their purity and goodness and they know it. They
are beautiful and make me feel great when I am with them.”
Tai Chi is a distinct form of martial arts that came from
China that has grown popular in the U.S. because its peaceful
and graceful movements are excellent for overall health —
improving one’s balance, circulation, and breathing. In many
parks you will observe small groups of people practicing Tai
Chi for these very reasons. Ardella learned Tai Chi after
having hand surgery to improve her circulation, on doctor’s
Ardella found it easy to adapt the techniques to the
particular needs and abilities of the DPV women: “When I
ask these women to stand up and do the exercises, they
jump right in with pride. We also do exercises sitting down
so that those in wheelchairs are not left out. I do as they do,
and they do as I do. At this point some of them could
practically lead the class.” She utilizes things like different
size balls, or paint brushes with which they imagine
painting things like the sun and sky, or a rainbow. Recently
she introduced instruments like tambourines, drums, and
xylophones as other means of self expression.
Tai Chi is beneficial for women intellectual disabilities as a
means of stress reduction, relaxation, or anger management.
Classes are offered in the evening as “wind down time”
prior to going to bed. One participant named Marybeth has
lived at DPV for 11 years, and never wanted to participate
in anything. Now she is the first one to class, always
volunteering to be one of Ardella’s assistants.
Another named Liz says “this is so easy” so Ardella knows
that she is making a connection and they are progressing: “I
feel like I am able to really reach them and touch them. All
they want is someone to look at them and really see them,
to notice them and not stare at them. They want to laugh
and smile, they want to try new things and feel good about
themselves.”
A ROUND AND A BOUT C S S
•
Springfield Family Service Center Baby Cupboard continues to serve about 90 families per month. Volunteers from
Delaware County Hispanic Ministry volunteer to serve the 15% of families served who are Spanish-speaking.
•
Kudos to Marianne McKinney, RN, BSN, Health Care Coordinator for CSS’s Life
Sharing Through Family Living Program who is the featured nurse on the Philadelphia
Coordinated Health Care website.
•
As part of their Community Outreach Program, Newtown Office Supply has
committed $11,000 to support the charitable activities of Catholic Human
Services. Pictured with Joe Sweeney and Jim Amato of Catholic Social Services are
Norman White, Rick Winslow and Jerry Winslow of Newtown Office Supply.
(Continued on page 15)
(Continued on page 15)
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15
A job fair held at Casa del Carmen on July 25 drew 285 job seekers over
four hours, looking to connect with one of nearly 20 agencies and
companies interviewing for open positions. Job seekers met with
representatives from Congreso, United Health, APM, Beneficial Bank,
Catholic Social Services, Carico International, the Juvenile Justice
Center and other City of Philadelphia departments, Concilio, and
Sugarhouse Casino. Presentations were given on resume writing,
interviewing skills, and networking tips. Event sponsors included
McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts and Boston Market, all of whom provided
beverages and food for the agency and company representatives in
attendance. Tent rental costs were covered by the American Lawyers Association. George Rivera, Administrator at Casa del
Carmen, said it was a very successful event which should yield solid job prospects for a number who attended. Casa del
Carmen is a Family Service Center that in addition to job search assistance, offers parenting and pregnancy groups,
computer and ESL classes, daycare and afterschool programs, a helpline and brief emergency services, case management and
document assistance. About 80% of program beneficiaries are of Hispanic background.
Five employees from Siemens represented their company’s participation in the United Way
Days of Caring by providing the CSS West Chester Family Service Center with enough school
supplies to give 45 children all they needed to get a good start on the school year. Siemens held a
Back to School Drive at local offices throughout August, and the school supplies collected were
brought to the West Chester site on August 27 by the drive’s organizers, who had a chance to
meet a few children and families. They heard from Zara, who told them, “I did it! Today was
my first day of school and I had a whole class of art!” as she joyfully received her new chalk,
crayons, and paper to make sure she was ready for many art classes to come. Leftover supplies
will be available at the West Chester and West Grove Family Service Centers to assist 45 more
students over the coming months.
For the last six years, Thursday evenings at the CSS Montgomery County Family Service Center’s Community Emergency
Food Cupboard have seen a dozen or more students from the Bonner Scholar Program at Ursinus College volunteering
weekly to pack grocery bags, organize paperwork and carry boxes of food. This weekly collaboration provides much needed
extra help, especially during the Thanksgiving Dinner program, distributing 300
frozen turkeys and groceries in a three-hour time period. Additionally, food drives
these student volunteers initiated in Collegeville resulted in several tons of food and
$1,000 in donated grocery purchases for the cupboard. One student surveyed
cupboard clients to increase awareness of their needs, while Spanish-speaking students
help to translate for Hispanic clients interacting with cupboard volunteers. This year
three Bonner Program student leaders brought 20 freshmen to the food cupboard on a
Saturday afternoon to clean, organize, and paint the food cupboard, making it safer
and more attractive for the 550 families that use it on a monthly basis.
One morning a few months ago, Georgiann Fisher, the Human Resources Director at Don Guanella Village (DGV),
e-mailed her colleagues with a prayer request for a family member with intellectual disabilities who went missing in
Philadelphia. This prompted John Doherty, DGV’s Director of Finance, to phone John Wagner, Director of Housing and
Homeless Services, who called upon his network of contacts with Project Home, the City of Philadelphia Office for
Supportive Housing, and St. John’s Hospice (SJH) to distribute a flyer with a picture of the missing person. SJH Director
Kevin Barr, shared the flyer with staff and SJH housekeeper Mitch Williams reported that he had seen the man pictured in a
nearby subway station. Kevin and Mitch immediately went there and found him, and stayed with him until family members
arrived. After the family successfully filed a 302 petition, the now-found person was taken to a crisis center where a case
manager is putting together a firm discharge plan to prevent a reoccurrence. Kudos to all the CSS staff who, within 24 hours,
made the connections to bring this chapter to a happy ending.
We advocate a clear priority for poor families and vulnerable workers [who] have been hurt most of all in the economic crisis.
The difficult choices ahead on how to balance needs and resources and how to proportionately allocate the burdens and sacrifices
need to take into account the vulnerability and capacity of all, especially those most affected by poverty, joblessness, and economic
injustice. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to all members of Congress, January 14, 2011
CSS
C O N N E C T I O N S
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
A RCHDIOCESE OF P HILADELPHIA
222 NORTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 1910 3
484.475.2463
FAX:
610.338.0625
www.catholicsocialservicesphilly.org
# 00017 for UW of
Southeastern PA
“Go the extra mile with us.” (Matthew 5:42)
In making your United Way contribution this year
to support Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
OPT FOR DONOR CHOICE
SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
At-risk children and youth, single parents, unemployed adults, isolated elderly
…if you know someone in need, there is a CSS program that can help.
You can be justifiably proud of the dedicated work of Catholic Social Services which
provides help and creates hope for over 3,500 people every day.
Make CSS your United Way Donor Choice
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